Have you ever considered a guinea pig as a pet? Guinea pigs are often classified as pocket pets, small pets which do well and live the majority of their lives in cages or pens. You may be surprised to know that these rodents make excellent companions. If space is an issue or you have allergies to dogs and cats you may find that a pet guinea pig is an ideal option.

They make good pets but what makes them such good companion animals? Their size is neither too large to fit into a small space nor so small you cannot handle them safely. Their personalities are friendly and adaptable. Their ease of care: a standard diet of readily available ingredients. However, before getting one you should look at finding out as much as you can so that you can provide them with the safest and healthiest living environment possible.

Other rodents such as mice, hamsters and gerbils are firmly nocturnal. This can make it difficult for them to fit in with the activity cycle of most families. A guinea pig will adapt its activity to be more compatible with that of its environment. This can lead to increased interaction with people and make it a more desirable pet.

Their size is also an asset when you are considering one for a pet. Although any young child should be closely supervised if they are handling an animal the larger size of a guinea pig makes them easier to handle and somewhat less fragile than other rodents like hamsters, gerbils or rats. Guinea pigs can be ten inches long and often weigh several pounds.

Guinea pigs also live longer than most rodents. They can live up to eight years although they are more likely to live four to five years. They are also fully formed at birth and are able to run around when only a few hours old. If they are handled correctly from an early age they can become very used to people and these are the guinea pigs which will make the best pets. They should not be removed from their mother until they are six weeks old but if they are exposed to people as babies this will help make them friendly and affectionate adults.

A guinea pig is quite a vocal animal and their cries can be heard at a fair distance. They have a range of different noises, including chirping, burbling and purring. A guinea pig that is very used to its owner will often emit a loud noise when they hear their owner approach, or they think there are treats to be had. If you keep more than one guinea pig in the same cage, it can be quite entertaining to listen to their chirps and squeaks as they interact.

Although guinea pigs seem like easy animals to keep there are a few things you need to keep in mind. They have some specific nutritional and health requirements in order to keep them healthy. They need a diet that is rich in fibre and vitamin C in order to keep them in top physical shape. A balanced diet that features a variety of fruits and vegetables, good quality pellets, hay and clean, fresh drinking water will help to keep your guinea pig healthy and content.

If you do decide to open your home and your heart to a pet guinea pig, you should know that you are gaining a loyal companion for the next four to five years. These large rodents can be a fun and friendly addition to your family life.

• Why To Pick Quaker Bird As A Pet? There are pets like dogs and cats and then there are pets which are not really common. Anyone that looks for a pet which will not make a mess all around the house and can take excellent care of itself when required, may reflect on taking in a bird......
• The BC-50 and Its Benefits by Greg Cole Dogs are wonderful companions and most people love them, except when they go on barking sprees that might intimidate some people, or when they bark so much that your neighbors can't sleep at night. In these situations, what you need is the BC 50 no bark collar.......
• Getting Older? You Need A Pet! by Dave Tron Did you know that owning a cat can decrease your chances of having a heart attack by up to 30%? Studies have found that this simple solution can improve your health and decrease the risks of heart attacks and other diseases. Owning a pet can extend your......
• House guinea pigs as pets in your dwellings by Warren Tereska As people move into smaller homes guinea pigs as pets can be fun alternatives to larger animals. They have many benefits other than just their small size but there are things to know if you want one to live a long and healthy life. By learning about......

• Healthy Eating Plans for Increased Nutrition When it comes to getting healthy and losing weight, one of the best things that you can do is to add healthy eating plans to your lifestyle. If you want to lose weight, build a healthier body or just improve your general health, then healthy eating plans are going to......
• Don’t Blame Me, It’s the Leptin! photo credit: purpleslog Americans are good at explaining our burgeoning waistlines. Those who have lost weight and regained it have a litany of excuses as to why they cannot keep the weight off. Our tried and true excuses are often even backed up in print. Earlier this year the......
• Eight things to consider when buying someone out Over the past few weeks I've bought large amounts of things from folks running yard sales.  The first buy-out was a whole bunch of scrapbooking and stamping supplies from a home business owner who was moving on to other things.  The second buy-out was a large collection of music CDs......
• Surf Skate Wake Board - What's Your Passion? For many people, there is nothing that they find to be more exhilarating or exciting then boarding of all types. This can mean surfing, skate boarding, wake boarding and more. For many people it may e the danger that they feel or even the endorphins that they feel coursing through......

	Guinea Pigs (First Pets) List Price: $5.99 Sale Price: $5.99 Used From: $5.94
Two new titles in this popular series of essential guides introducing young children to responsible pet ownership. Adorable photographs and light-hearted illustrations complement the informative straightforward text...

	CLASSIC GINNY PIG FOOD List Price: $2.69 Sale Price: $3.06
Features Guinea Pig Food 2.5 LB. Bag

Written by Walter Francios using tags: Guinea Pig Care, Guinea Pigs For Your Home, Pet Care, Pet Guinea Pig, Pets